public health students

Public Health Graduate Certificate

Public health is all around us. Make a difference by moving the world forward.

Those in the health care sector are tackling issues of chronic disease, global health, vaccinations, tobacco, mental health, environmental health and many more. With a graduate certificate in Public Health you can help combat these issues and make an everlasting difference.

Program type:
Certificate - Graduate
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
1-2 years
Credit hours:
12-13

Why earn a public health graduate certificate?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 3
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

The Public Health certificate is designed for people who wish to obtain formal training in an aspect of public health, but do not want to earn the M.P.H. degree. These include those currently working in the public health and health care fields, as well as others. However, all credits from the certificate program can be transferred into the M.P.H. program.

Some students who complete the graduate certificate in general Public Health will be eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) examination. The CPH exam is the only national test for public health professionals. It is increasingly required for public health employment and advancement in public health organizations.

Public Health Certificate Emphasis

Students can earn the graduate certificate in Public Health in three areas of emphasis. All emphasis areas are offered 100% online or on-campus format.

  1. General Public Health
  2. Population Health Research & Analytics 
  3. Indigenous Health

On Campus or Online Public Health Certificate

Public Health Certificate Jobs

A graduate certificate in Public Health opens the door for a variety of different jobs. Popular employment areas in public health include:

  • Health policy analysis
  • Medical science
  • Public health administration
  • Public health education
  • Public health statistics

A Public Health certificate gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • Grant writing
  • Statistical software
  • Strategic planning
  • Literature reviews

Public Health alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Altru Health System
  • North Dakota Department of Health
  • American Indian Cancer Foundation
  • Health Partners Institute
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Sanford Research
  • Essentia Health

Graduate Public Health Certificate Courses

PH 504. Public Health Management, Planning, and Health Care Systems. 3 Credits.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of public health management, planning, and healthcare delivery systems, fostering an understanding of their interplay and significance in promoting health and preventing disease and disability in communities and populations. Students will delve into the philosophy, and values of public health management and planning while gaining insights into how public health systems function in the United States and globally. The curriculum covers the organization, management, policy priorities, and core functions of public health. Topics include the nuances of rural and urban health systems, international perspectives, and ethical considerations in healthcare delivery. This course equips students with a holistic understanding of the interconnected roles of public health management and healthcare delivery systems, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the enhancement of community and population health outcomes. Prerequisite: Enrollment in MPH degree program or certificate or consent from instructor. F.

PH 583. American Indian Health Policy. 3 Credits.

The course will provide a detailed overview of the unique policy issues that form the legal basis for provision of public health and healthcare services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The American Indian (AI) population is unique in the United States in that AIs are born with a legal right to health services. This is based on treaties and numerous other laws, executive orders, court decisions and other legal bases in which the tribes exchanged land and other natural resources for various social services, including housing, education, and healthcare. The Indian Health Service is the federal agency responsible for carrying out the federal government's trust responsibility to provide public health and healthcare services to AIs. Prerequisite: Enrollment in MPH degree program or certificate or consent from instructor. F.

PH 531. Biostatistics 1. 3 Credits.

This course introduces the selection, use, and interpretation of basic statistical tests and concepts that may be used in addressing, analyzing, and solving problems in public health and health care research. Prerequisite: Enrollment in MPH degree program or certificate or consent from instructor. F,S.

PH 541. Public Health Communication. 2 Credits.

This course introduces communication theories and concepts applied to public health problems. Students will develop the skills necessary to use media strategically to advance public health policies and health. The course covers the planning and development, design and testing of concepts, implementation, and evaluation of media campaigns to promote public health goals. Prerequisite: Enrollment in MPH degree program or certificate or consent from instructor. F.

PH 551. Epidemiology 1. 3 Credits.

This course introduces the basic epidemiologic concepts used to study health and disease in populations including measurement, study design, and related statistical tests. Observational and experimental epidemiologic studies are described and their advantages and disadvantages compared. The course provides an overview of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in populations. Ethical issues related to epidemiology are discussed. Prerequisite: Enrollment in MPH degree program or certificate or consent from instructor. S.

PH 581. Principles of Indigenous Health. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to provide students with a critical understanding Indigenous health with local and global perspectives provided. The course will specifically explore both traditional perspectives and cutting edge fields of Indigenous health including traditional healing systems, cultural safety, Indigenous food systems, Indigenous data, Indigenous research methodologies and evaluation processes, plus decolonizing narratives while defining the impact of colonization and health disparities in communities. We will utilize a strengths-based approach in our understandings of Indigenous concepts of health and healing, and ways of moving forward towards greater health equity. Prerequisite: Enrollment in MPH degree program or certificate or consent from instructor. F.

Public Health Certificate Programs Online

#2

best online graduate programs

EDsmart

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

Flexible Online Public Health Graduate Certificate Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Top-Tier Online Student Resources

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)
Explore More Options

Connect with faculty you'll work with at UND or discover similar graduate certificates.

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies, Privacy Information.